Corey Keener's Goals Haven't Changed Since Arriving in Happy Valley
STATE COLLEGE – Pennsylvania Wrestling fans should remember the name Corey Keener. After all he was a 2-time PIAA State Champion for Blue Mountain with a career record in high school of (190-16). After graduating from Blue Mountain in 2012 Corey went on to Central Michigan University where he spent the last four years competing.
Last spring Corey graduated from CMU with a degree in Physical Education & School Health but felt unfulfilled in his career off the mat.
“I felt like whenever things ended in Central Michigan I was a little upset with the way things had turned out, in what I had accomplished so far. I thought I needed a change of pace and a little better situation for me to reach my goals.” At Central Michigan Keener was a 3-time NCAA National qualifier and compiled a (55-37) career record.
It also doesn’t hurt that Corey will now only be two hours away from home as opposed to ten hours. “If I need to get away it is a little easier. My dad, week in and week out, would make the drive to Michigan every weekend. So 20 hours round trip.”
The distance from home changed but Corey’s goals remain the same.
“My goals haven’t changed since coming to Penn State. My goal is always to be a National Champ. The reason we compete is to win.”
And Penn State knows a little something about winning. Corey expects to play a critical role in the team race as he fills in nicely at 133 lbs. for head coach Cael Sanderson. “They make wrestling fun and they make you want to go out there and score points.”
Corey’s workout partners have also changed and that is a bittersweet feeling for the graduate student. It means training with the best wrestlers around but also means he will be pushed everyday.
“It’s definitely awesome wrestling Jordan Conaway, Nico Megaludis, and Mark McKnight. All-Americans and a National Champion. Wrestling high caliber guys everyday, you have to bring your A-game everyday and I think it will definitely elevate my level of competing.”